Memoir Of Jane Austen

Written by James Edward Austen-Leigh

Narrated by Geoffrey Giuliano and The Spire

"The Memoir of my Aunt, Jane Austen, has been received with more favor than I had ventured to expect. The notices taken of it in the periodical press, as well as letters addressed to me by many with whom I am not personally acquainted, show that an unabated interest is still taken in every particular that can be told about her. I am thus encouraged not only to offer a Second Edition of the Memoir but also to enlarge it with some additional matter which I might have scrupled to intrude on the public if they had not thus seemed to call for it. In the present Edition, the narrative is somewhat enlarged, and a few more letters are added; with a short specimen of her childish stories. The canceled chapter of ‘Persuasion’ is given, in compliance with wishes both publicly and privately expressed. A fragment of a story entitled ‘The Watsons’ is printed; p. iii and extracts are given from a novel which she had begun a few months before her death; but the chief addition is a short tale never before published, called ‘Lady Susan.’ {0a} I regret that the little that I have been able to add could not appear in my First Edition; as much of it was either unknown to me, or not at my command when I first published; and I hope that I may claim some indulgent allowance for the difficulty of recovering little facts and feelings which had been merged half a century deep in oblivion." - James Edward Austen-Leigh in the Preface to Memoir of Jane Austen

• Language: English
• Publisher: Icon Audio Arts
• Release date: Mar 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887678207

James Edward Austen-Leigh

James Edward Austen-Leigh was the nephew of Jane Austen, one of the most beloved authors of the English language. The son of Austen’s eldest brother, James, James Edward was the author of A Memoir of Jane Austen, a family project first published in 1869 that collected the family’s memories of Jane, who had passed away in 1817, and which revealed her authorship of such classic novels as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Northanger Abbey. Published anonymously during her life, Austen’s work was renowned for its realism, humour, and commentary on English social rites and society at the time.

Reviews for Memoir Of Jane Austen

[belana-990668 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I listened to the audio book, which was wonderfully narrated by Simon Prebble.

It is a great account of Jane Austen's eventless life, including unpublished material written by her.

[kirklowery · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Written by Austen's nephew at the beginning of the 20th century, it is a classic of hagiography. It is valuable for its personal and close remembrances, its extracts of Austen's personal correspondence. But one should always keep in mind that the goal of the writer was to protect a family member's public reputation.

[zumbanista · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Although I was disappointed reading A Memoir of Jane Austen, because I found it rather dry and dull, I rated it as 3 stars because of its influence in stimulating interest in her works some 54 years after her death. Also, I realized this was a Memoir, so the level of detail was different than what I would expect from a biography. What you get is a mixture of personal letters and recollections from the writer, Ms. Austen's nephew, as well as family tidbits and background on the homes she lived in and the culture of the times generally. I imagine Janeites would find this book a nice addition to the lore and legend of one of England's most beloved authors, and a personal favourite of mine.